Texas HB 1481 requires all public school districts to adopt policies restricting student use of cell phones and similar electronic devices during instructional time. The purpose is to improve focus and engagement in the classroom.

MWISD is enforcing procedures that limit student use of personal devices during the entire school day. These guidelines apply to:

• Cell phones

• Smartwatches

• Tablets

• Pagers or other personal electronic devices

Devices may not be used at any time during the school day, including lunch and passing periods.

These rules will be in effect starting the first day of the 2025–2026 school year at all campuses.

Yes. Students may only use personal electronic devices during the school day if:

• The student has an IEP or 504 Plan that requires device access

• A physician’s order is on file for a medical need

• A school administrator grants permission for safety or legal reasons

• The device is school-issued and is being used for instruction

Specific disciplinary consequences will be outlined in the updated Student Code of Conduct, which will be shared with families before the school year begins.

No. In accordance with HB 1481 and district procedures, device use is not allowed during lunch, passing periods, or any other time during the instructional day.

School security experts say phones can make children less safe in crisis situations for the following reasons:

• Student use of cellphones during an unfolding emergency can distract their attention from

  safety and emergency response directions being given by school staff.

• Cellphone use by students can hamper rumor control and, in doing so, disrupt and delay

  effective public safety personnel response.

• Cellphone use by students can impede public safety response by accelerating parental

  and community arrival at the scene of an emergency during times when officials may be

  attempting to evacuate students to another site.

• Victims and worried family members trying to get through can jam communications,

  interfering with first responders.

For more information, visit the National School Safety and Security Services website.

Parents and/or guardians who need to contact their student during the school day and or change the pick-up time of their child, may do so by calling the main office at any time. Parents may also utilize email or the ParentSquare app to contact their student's teacher(s) directly.

If a student needs to reach a parent or guardian during the day, they should request to use a school phone. Personal phones should remain off and stored away during school hours. 

The 2025–2026 Student Code of Conduct will be posted on the MWISD website and distributed (upon request) to families prior to the start of school.

In this case, documentation from a licensed medical professional will be required. This exception is specific to the identified medical need only and still prohibits cellphone use for any other purposes.

If a cellphone or communications device is required for an IEP/504 plan, documentation is required. In this case, the exception will be applied to the need specified by the plan, and cellphone use will still be prohibited for any other purposes.